Approximately 50,000 farmers from Maharashtra, on the 20th of February, began a Kisan March from Nashik to Mumbai.
The farmers started a march of 180 km from Nashik to Mumbai, in order to call for a protest against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for their betrayal.
According to the farmers, the BJP promised to fulfil their demands, which included guaranteeing the farmers are given their land rights, Rs. 50,00 per acre compensation to the drought affected farmers and a Minimum Support Price (MSP) with 50 % rates for agricultural produce. In addition to these, the farmers also demanded, the water running into the Arabian Sea should be used in Maharashtra for irrigation and not diverted to Gujarat.
However, their demands were not fulfilled, following which the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) called for the march.
P.S. Prasad, the AIKS spokesperson, claimed, the police are trying to stop the farmers from reaching Nashik to join the march. He said, “For several hours, police kept detaining groups of farmers coming to join the procession without assigning any reason. Cases are being lodged against our office bearers.”
However, Sanjay Patil, the Thane Additional Superintendent of the Police, denied all the allegations and said, “We are just taking their names and addresses for formality’s sake,”
According to sources, the march will end on the 27th of February, when the farmers reach Mumbai after covering 180 km. The farmers are expected to cover an average of 22 km per day.
The 27th of February also marks the 88th death anniversary of the freedom fighter, Chandra Shekhar Azad.
Ajit Navale, an AIKS member, said, “A year has passed, but the State Government is yet to fulfil its promises. Hence, the long march is being taken out to protest the betrayal of farmers by the BJP led State and Central Governments.”
Ashok Dhawale, the President of the AIKS, said, “We held talks with the minister for over three hours. The Government appeared positive to 80 percent of our demands. The minister said he would speak to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis first.”
Though the Government approved the demands, the Kisan March started, on the 21st of February, as the AIKS demands a written approval for the same.
The AIKS will continue the march until the State Government gives a written assurance.
Stay tuned for further updates.
